Put on Kindness

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
Stephen Grellet, Quaker Missionary

How important is kindness to your mission? As Christians, the kindness we show to others is rooted in our response to how much God loves us and the sacrifice He made on our behalf. He lavished the riches of His grace on us. From that abundance we love others, and one way we express that love is through showing kindness to one another. In fact, a definition of grace is “undeserved kindness.”

Kindness is not just saying kind words but doing them, living them. Jesus was a perfect example of kindness. He went around helping people. They lined up for hours to hear his words and receive healing. Jesus helped people regardless of whether they deserved it or not. For many, it was the last thing they expected. It was something they were rarely shown. Remember the woman at the well? Instead of judging, the Lord was kind to her.

There are a lot of examples of kindness in Scripture.
God says, Do you want to be in this Kingdom? Do you want to know how you’ll never ever fall away? Add these characteristics into your life.  2 Peter 1:7 says,  “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.”
Brotherly kindness: Do we have that in our lives?"

Remember when Paul and the other prisoners werewereshipwrecked on their way to Rome?  They swam ashore to the isle of Malta.  It says in Acts 28, “When they had been brought safely through, then we found that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and the cold they kindled a fire and received us all.”  So I think “brotherly kindness” is not only kindness to a brother, but kindness like we would show our brother. The natives of Malta were not brothers, but strangers; probably heathens.

Another Bible story showing kindness is in 2 Samuel 9 about King David showing unexpected—and life-changing—kindness to a disabled young man by the name of Mephibosheth. “The king asked, ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?’ Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’" This story is in the context of God Himself showing extraordinary kindness to David.  Psalm 18:50 says, “He gives great deliverance to His King, and shows loving kindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”  Kindness is an expression of the very character of God. David recognizes that he is the chief recipient of God’s loving kindness and, in turn, shows kindness to another.

Then there’s this wonderful reference in Acts 9: 36-42 about a woman in Joppa, a disciple named Tabitha. “This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did.” How kind and loving she must have been, to have been spoken of in the Bible for being full of love and doing kind deeds. I like thinking about that, because that’s something I can do.

We all know about the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31, right?  So many accomplishments.  But there’s one characteristic of the virtuous woman that we give little attention to. Proverbs 31:26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom; and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

God calls us to be kind and gentle people. By His grace, all of us can be kind in very practical ways that glorify Him. Our kindness, when we give God the glory, makes others feel treasured and loved by Him, as we know we are.  Colossians 3:12 says, “So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

How are you, as a parent, a teacher, a Church leader, a Christian perpetuating God’s kindness through your ministry? How would intentionally embracing kindness influence the mission of your life?


Father, I am grateful for the loving kindness you show me every day. I pray that you will fill my heart with kindness. Help me to see those around me in the same way you do - as loved and treasured people, and may any kindness I can show to others point to you. Thank you for Jesus, who intercedes for me in this and every prayer.

Lynn Anne Hughes

Stephenville, Texas

It Ain’t Bragging If You Can Do It

Dizzy Dean predicted in 1934 that he and his brother (Paul ‘Daffy’ Dean) would win 45 games for the St. Louis Cardinals.  They won 49 games and the Cardinals won the World Series.  This was the ‘Gas house gang’ Cardinals and Dizzy said before the season that ‘it ain’t bragging if you can back it up.’

The London Olympics have just concluded and Usain Bolt from Jamacia was one of the most spectacular athletes in the games.  He is also one of the most outspoken when referring to his ability.  As much as I enjoy great athletic performances, there is something refreshing about  a great performer like Emmett Smith who played for the Dallas Cowboys.  He was an outstanding running back for Dallas, but he was never a showboat.

There is something in the human psyche that causes us to want to be prideful/boastful.  As a young boy on the cotton farm in New Home, Texas, I hoed a lot of weeds.  One day, I made a bargain with my Dad.  I petitioned him for some wages.  He offered me two bits an hour.  That sounded like a lot of money for a 12 year old, and it certainly was better than nothing.  So, I worked as a hoe hand for $.25 an hour for the rest of the summer.  At the end of the week when Dad paid me, I put the quarters in a drawer in my room.  I was so proud of the drawer full of change in my room.  It represented my hard work.  It was a source of pride.  It was a reason for boasting about what I had earned with my hard work.  

There is a place for boasting within Christianity.  Paul refers to it in I Corinthians 1:30-31.  ‘Christ Jesus has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”’  Our reason for boasting as Christians is Jesus—our Redeemer.  It is sad to see many approach their relationship with God like I did with my Dad in the cotton field.  The idea of earning my righteousness before God by my goodness is completely foreign to Christianity.  Our standing with God is based completely upon the merit of Christ—what He has done for us.  By His righteousness, we are made righteous.  AND, we can boast in Him.

‘He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed Someone to wash my sins away.  And now, I sing a brand new song Amazing Grace, Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.’

PRAYER:  Father, thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice.  Thank you that He is my source of confidence and boasting.   

Terry Brown
Abilene, Texas

My Story

I was baptized at a young age, belonged to “the church”, from a family that belonged to “the church”, studied the Bible, obeyed and followed it to the letter.   I spoke where the Bible spoke and was silent where the Bible was silent.  I did everything I was supposed to do.  I was devoted to serving in the church, teaching class, leading worship, helping with VBS, and going on mission trips.  I was viewed as a great servant and leader always willing to accept more.  No one questioned my devotion and sincerity and I received praise and acknowledgement for all I was doing.  This proved what I was doing was right and I became very sure of myself and what God wanted.   So sure, that I viewed others who professed to follow God as being wrong.  Though I might not say it out loud, I was critical of them and their errant faith.  

All was well in my life, working perfectly.  I was the model Christian, husband, and father.  Life was good, I was respected in the church, respected by my family, and viewed as the perfect son.  Everything was in order doing exactly what God wanted.  Then it all changed.  Like a nightmare that was actually real, that which I cherished most and believed was my foundation disintegrated.  I found myself in the deepest despair losing what was most dear to me.  Everything I thought was right, everything I was taught, everything I believed to be true was revealed to be a lie.  I was blind.  Blind to the reality of my misplaced devotion.  Blind to the fact that everything I was doing in my life to serve the Lord was in the complete wrong direction.  I tried to deny it and could not believe a man who had given his life to serve God could be so wrong.  It was unfair and almost impossible to accept.  Yet the pain and desperation of my circumstances confronted me with the truth.  It was all about me.  About my rightness, my own ability to justify myself, and show everyone how good I was.  Oh God, it was so painful as I sat in the darkness of my despair.  

He came to me.  He showed me that despite my selfishness and my insistence on my will being done He wanted me.  He showed me I do not have to perform for Him, compete for His attention, or prove anything to Him.  As blind as I was my eyes were opened and I saw Him for the first time.  I knew He had just saved me and I didn’t care what anyone else thought any longer.  Some questioned the change in me not knowing the internal anguish and confrontation I had experienced.  All I know is the things that were important to me before, and that I thought made me a Christian are worth nothing now, frankly they are like a pile of cow manure.  I’m different than before.  I know I am His not because of what I do, or do not do, but because I finally took Him at His word to just believe.  Believe the incredible miracle that Jesus has saved me and rescued me.  What is crazy is it has become all I care about.  I want Him more than ever even if it means tough times because I am no longer afraid.  I have such a long way to go and still so much to learn.   Yet, He pulls me forward with the promise and taste of a whole new life.  I can’t describe it other than to say rejoice in it, be full of joy knowing it is true.  I now have a life, true life that is so rich and full.    

Philippians 3, 4:1-7; Acts 9

What You offer goes against everything rational in this world.  Lead me to not fall to the temptation to follow what is rational.  Amen

Scotty Elston

Shallowater, Texas

Let’s Ponder a Moment

Earlier this week I was reading Acts 10:19 and enjoyed a little revelation.

ESV   19 “And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.””

I have always considered the word Ponder to be a Southern colloquialism, similar to Y’all or Fixin’ to.  I rarely use the word because my mother was a High School English teacher in her youth and didn’t “cotton to” colloquialisms. It amused me to see the word used in context with Peter’s call to visit Cornelius.  I decided to explore a bit. Ponder, in Acts, was used in reference to Peter, a fisherman likely to use colloquialisms, not Paul, a learned scholar of the Word.  I did a word search for “ponder” and found many references to the word in the Psalms, some written by King David, a man after God’s own heart.  I was surprised, and am pleased to add the word to my verbal vocabulary. Of course, I realize the Bible was not written in English, but ancient languages. Ponder was not a word actually uttered by King David, translated from Aramaic or some language more ancient, but the word has been around a long time.

Ponder is a comfort word, like comfort food.  It means to consider carefully; to meditate; reflect on; to weigh in the mind.  To ponder means take some time, don’t rush and act rashly without thinking of the consequences.  The English word was first used in the 14th century and is derived from the Latin “ponderare”, to weigh. Another derivation of that Latin word is pound, a measure of weight, but also to hit or strike.  Pound and ponder, with the same derivation, may be antonyms, or synonyms, depending upon the context applied to pound.

Ponder rhymes with yonder, another of those Southern colloquialisms I don’t use.  Oh wait, yonder is another word used multiple times in the KJV of the Bible and means, over there; a remote location.  It is not used in the newer translations of the Bible. Yonder has now become archaic and is only used for poetic emphasis. Ponder, on the other hand has stood the test of time.

I want to stand the test of time!

Dear God, Please be with me each day. Help me to ponder, reflect on, consider quietly and deeply before taking action each day. It was well for Peter to ponder, and I will try to follow his example.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX